USX Orentiation Physcial - Sleep apnea

Discussion in 'US Xpress' started by Quinn0415, Nov 23, 2014.

  1. Quinn0415

    Quinn0415 Bobtail Member

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    Hey Everyone,

    Been lurking around these forums since I decided to attend CDL school last summer and found all the information to be very helpful. But now I have a very specific question that I havn't been able to find anywhere else and was wondering if you could fill me in.

    I plan on attending USX training soon with my brother (team) and was wondering if thier physical is one that requires a sleep study for bigger folk. If it is can anyone tell me if i will be forced to pay for this out of pocket. I simply cannot afford that and would really like to know if I will be wasting both the companies and my time. I was already forced to turn down a job with GTI because they were going to make me pay for it. If anyone could fill me in I would appreciate it.

    Sadly it seems the new flavor of the month with trucker health is Sleep Apnea, I would first like to say I know this is a serious issue that can in fact kill you. I do not want to down play that. I also know that nearly 70% of people large or small that take a sleep study are in fact diagnosed with some form of sleep apnea. The guidelines certain examiners are using seems to be a BMI of .35 or greater requires a sleep study (nearly a $2000 ordeal out of pocket). Now to put that in perspective that would be any 6' male that wieghs 255lbs or more, which means a whole lot of drivers are in risk of this on there next physical.

    If anyone could fill me in on the physical USX does or could give me some guidence for a broke and fat driver trying to avoid being slapped with a big medical bill, I would appreciate it.

    Quinn
     
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  3. Gordon A

    Gordon A Medium Load Member

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    Why don't you just call them and ask? Easier to do then depend on vague answers .
    Just call . Get your answer straight from the company. So much easier on the nerves and less stress.
     
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Paschall Truck Lines doesn't require a physical if your medical card has a few months left on it. Just do a pee test is all. You and your brother can team there.
     
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  5. bigdogpile

    bigdogpile Road Train Member

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    Yes USX requires sleep study but you may not have to depending on what terminal you go to
     
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  6. Dr_Fandango44

    Dr_Fandango44 Road Train Member

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    Crossing the street at the wrong moment can kill you.
    Theres way too much hysteria created by this sleep apnea debacle, all because of one solitary incident involving a Celadon truck and careless driver with a resulting member of the public deciding to declare war on the trucking industry. Thus as drivers we have been punished accordingly and we have to jump thru one more hoop.
    So I would be interested to know where you get this 70% figure from. I've never been tested for SA and I can surmise that many more have not so the 70% is bogus at best.
    Dont come up with numbers about sleep apnea, when you can't back it up and you have no idea what you're talking about.
    And this has been stated so many times but there is NO law or legislation out there mandating a SA test.
    But as usual some doctors that are on some power trip have decided to ignore that rule and are performing these tests. If they did this to me, I'd walk out and go to another doctor.
    If some companies stipulate it then I wouldn't apply there, pure and simple. There's plenty of companies including the one I'm leased onto do not authorize this test.,
    I don't like it when our rights are being violated by an arrogant bunch of doctors.
    We've got enough of that coming from the FMCSA, who tried to sneak legislation for testing through the back door but got caught with their fingers in the cookie jar.
    Shame on them.
     
  7. Quinn0415

    Quinn0415 Bobtail Member

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    Let me clarify 70% of people who go through a sleep study end up being diagnosed. Obviously this is for people who have been referred because of risk factors.

    But I totally agree with what you are saying and did not know that was the reason for the craze.
     
  8. Dr_Fandango44

    Dr_Fandango44 Road Train Member

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    That's ok, most of us don't know the background to this stuff, but in addition there's no evidence that sleep apnea causes accidents. And don't you think that the general public who drive their 4-wheelers everywhere are just as susceptible to this condition as we are. So if sleep apnea was THAT crucial, why don't we test everyone who drives, not just truckers.
    Makes perfect sense to me, but as usual, common sense is not the FMCSA strong point.
    We are sitting ducks, an easy target, so we have to take it on the chin and get tested.
    Are these tests accurate??
    Now there's another question to ask.
    Dont bank on it.
    Good luck.
     
  9. BigBluePeter

    BigBluePeter Heavy Load Member

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    They didn't test for it last time I went through orientation. If they did I wouldn't be here. Been in the business long enough to know that its total BS. Sorry guys its not sleep apnea that is making your drives tired, Its the 70-90 hours a week they are on duty. Anyone that works the type of hours we do is going to end up tired. If you are tired grow some balls and shut it down. Im not going to be labeled for something the rest of my life for some crappy job. no thanks, no way.
     
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  10. Quinn0415

    Quinn0415 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks.....now with the National database of examiners if one flags you no one will re certify until you test. That is what makes me the most nervous.

     
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Run out your medical card and by then you may have the money saved to purchase the CPAP machine.
     
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